Machine for manufacturing building-blocks.



No. 718,507. PATENATED JAN. 13, 1903.

- L. P. NORMANDIN.

Q MACHINE FOR MANUFACTURING BUILDING BLOGKSZ v ABPLIOATION FILED we. 4,1902. N0 MODEL. s snnms-snnm 1.

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MACHINE FOR MANUFACTURING BUILDING BLOCKS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 4, 1902.

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PATENTED JAN. 13, 1903.

. L. P. NORMANDIN. MACHINE FOR MANUFACTURING BUILDING BLOCKS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 4, 1902p s SHEETS-SHEET a.

N0 MODEL.

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LEVI P. NORMANDIN, OF JACKSON, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR OF THREE- FOURTHS TOWILLIAM 'F. COWHAM, OF JACKSON, MICHIGAN.

MACHINE FOR MANUFACTURING BUILDING-BLOCKS.

SPEGIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 718,507, dated January13, 1903.

Application filed August 4., 1902. Serial No. 118,387. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, LEVI P. NORMANDIN, a citizen of the United States,residing at J ackson, in the county of Jackson and State of Michigan,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines forManufacturing Building-Blocks, of which the follow ing is aspecification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The invention relates to machines for the manufacture ofbuilding-blocks, being more especially designed for use in the formationof blocks from a plastic mixture of artificial stone.

The invention consists in certain features of construction by which themachine may be readily adjusted for forming blocks of different sizesand proportions, the operation of forming the block simplified, and theblock when formed may be more readily removed without danger of injury.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of a machine, showingthe outer mold in its open position and the cores retracted. Fig. 2 isacross-section with the parts in position for the formation of ablock.Fig. 3 is alongitudinal section through the machine, illustrating themanner of lifting off the formed block. Fig. at is a perspective View ofthe bottom supporting-plate for the block. Fig. 5 is a plan view of themachine as adjusted for forming an angle-block. Fig. 5 is a detail ofthe hinge connection between two of the plates of the outer mold. Fig. 6is a perspective view of the lifting-off device. Fig. 7 is a perspectiveview of the divisionplate detached. Fig. 8 is a section through themold, showing the division-plate in position. Fig. 9 is a perspectiveview of the engagingends of two of the mold-plates. Fig. 10 is aperspective view of a block formed by the machine.

The machine belongs to that type designed for the manufacture of hollowblocks and in which the chambers or hollow spaces within the block areformed by cores projecting into the mold through the supporting-bed andsubsequently retracted before the removal of the block.

It is one of the objects of the invention to provide means for morereadily removing the block after it is formed and while the material isyet in a plastic condition without danger of injury. This is usuallyaccomplished bysupporting the block within the mold upon a removablebottom plate which is subsequently lifted by hooks or lifters engagingwith the opposite'end of said plate. As the weight of the material usedin forming a large block is considerable and as the bottom plates arecomparatively thin, it has been found in practice that these plates willsagin the middle, with the result that the block is injured.

In the present construction the block supported upon the bottom platewhen removed from the mold is first slid laterally upon a bed or table,which prevents any sagging, and is then lifted by a device in which theload is distributed on a number of bearing-points intermediate the ends.

Another object of the invention is to provide a single locking devicefor securing the removable side plates of the mold in position.

It is a further object to provide means for accurately positioning theseside plates, so that all the molded articles will be uniform in size andshape for each adjustment ofthe machine.

It is a further object to provide means for readily adjusting the moldto form blocks of different sizes and of either rectangular or L shapedconfiguration, and, still further, it is an object to provide means offorming within the hollow spaces of the block lifting-shoulders for thesubsequent engagement of the lifter in the setting of the block in thewall.

As shown in'the drawings, A is a suitable bed or table upon which themold is supported. This bed is mounted upon standards, such as B, andhas formed at one end thereof the apertures 0, through which the raisingand lowering cores D may be passed. The cores D are secured to theverticallymovable cross-head E,having at opposite sides thereof shoes F,engaging with guideways G on the standards B.

The cross-head E is adapted to be raised or lowered by means of racks H,secured thereto, which engage with segmental gears I, secured to therock-shaft J. This rock-shaft is journaled in suitable bearings upon thestandards B and is provided at one end with the operating-lever K,preferably provided with a locking-latch L for engaging a segment M.Thus by the movement of the lever K the shaft may be rocked to raise orlower the head E, thereby projecting the cores D above the bed orretracting the same.

The core D is preferably formed in a plurality of sections, so as toproduce in the finished block oueor more cross-ribs between the separatewalls toimpart additional strength thereto. As shown in Fig. 2, threesections are used, the outer sections ct and I) being of greater lengththan the intermediate section 0.

In the manufacture of the blocksit is often desirable to make blockswhich are a fraction of the length of the full block, the otherdimensions remaining the same. The machine is therefore provided with apartition-plate, and this is constructed to be placed in the position ofone of said cores. In order that this may be done, the cores 1) and care removable and are secured to the cross-head E by engagement withupwardlyprojecting shanks d, extending centrally within said cores.

In forming the lifting-shoulders before referred to the cores CL and bare preferably provided upon opposite sides thereof with projectingbosses 6. These, as shown, extend from the bottom of the core to a pointa short distance from the top thereof, and their upper edges arepreferably formed to make a square shoulder in the block.

N is a bottom supporting-plate for the block. This may be formed of acasting having therein apertures correspondingin size and position tothe sections of the core D. Upon opposite sides of these apertures areformed grooves g for the purpose of producing in the finished block abead or rib. The object of this rib is to support the block when placedin position in the wall with the spaces therebetween for the mortar. Ithas been found in practice in molding blocks provided with ribs of thischaracter that frequently in removing the blocks from the mold the ribsare stripped off. Where this is the case, the result is that the blockwill be thrown out of level in the wall, and in case both of the ribsare completely stripped off no space will be left for the mortar. In thepresent construction the grooves g for forming these ribs are in theform of a broken line, so that in removing the stone if a portion of therib is stripped the fracture will only extend to the first break in theline. As shown in Fig. 4, the grooves are of a zigzag form; but anyother form may be used in place of this, provided that the line isbroken up into a number of sections.

The outer mold for forming the block is supported upon the bed A and ispreferably of the following construction: The longer sides of the moldextend transversely of the bed A, while the shorter sides extendlongitudinally thereof. The side adjacent to the edge of the bed ispreferably formed of two sections 0 and P. The section 0 is of angleshape, one side h thereof being in alinement with the section P, whilethe other side '11 projects rearwardly therefrom. The object of formingthe plate in this manner is for convenience in the manufacture ofangle-blocks, the plate 0 forming the inner side of the angle and theplate P being removed. This plate 0 is preferably secured to the bed bybolts or screws; but in order that blocks of different width may beformed the position of the plate on the bed is preferably adj ustable.To this end a plurality of apertures may be formed in the bed, throughwhich the screw-boltsj are passed. The plate P is also preferably boltedto the table and is correspondingly adjustable in position.

At opposite ends of the sides just described are arranged plates Q, andR. The plate Q, is pivoted to the bed at the end adjacent to the plate0. The plate R is also pivoted to the bed, but is of greater length thanthe plate Q, the pivotal point being located some distance in rear ofthe plate P, as shown in Fig. 5. Thus where the plate P is removed fromalinement with the plate 0 the plate R will be of sufficient length toform the side of the angle-block, and the plate P may be secured inposition, as indicated in dotted lines at P, to form the end of theangle. The remaining side of the mold is formed by the plate S, which ishinged at one end to the plate R and at its opposite end is adapted todetachably engage with the plate Q. The hinged joint between the platesR and S is preferablyformed as shown in Fig. 5,in which two lugs and 7cextend,respectively,from the plates R and S and form stops whichpreventthe hinge from turning beyond a certain angle. Thus if the plateS be swung outward from its normal position it will first turn upon itspivotal connection with the plate R until the stops 7; and 70' cometogether, after which a further movement will cause the plate R to swingaround its pivot R.

The plates S and Q are adapted to be locked to each other by means of aprojecting lug l 011 the plate S engaging with a recess m in the plateQ.

T is a locking-latch pivotally secured to the plate Q and having awedge-shaped hook or finger 71, adapted to engage with a bearing 0 uponthe lug Z, the arrangement being such that when the lug Z is in therecess m and the latch T is engaged therewith the finger n will wedgeagainst the bearing 0 and lock the parts together.

In order that the mold may be changed in size,it is not only necessaryto adjust the plates 0 and P, as before described, but also the plate S,so as to form an equal thickness of material upon opposite sides of thecore D. This adjustment may be effected by changing the pivotal point ofthe plate R, and the pivot R is therefore adapted to engage with any oneof a plurality of apertures 19 in the bed. An adjustment in position ofthe pivot R necessitates a corresponding adjustment at the opposite endof the mold, and this is effected by providinga removable block (1 inthe recess m, by which the depth of said recess may be varied. The plateQis provided with a flange r for normally overlapping the plate S, whichin addition to the latch T serves to hold said plates in fixed relation.Whenever the block q is removed, the flange 7 will no longer bearagainst the plate Q, and I have therefore provided detachable blocks 3,which form the required bearings at top and bottom of the plate. It willthus be understood that by adjusting the position of the pivot-R andcorrespondingly adjusting the blocks q and s and the plates 0 and Peither a narrow or wider block may be formed in the mold. In order toform recesses in the ends of the block corresponding to the hollowspaces formed by the core D, the plates Q and B may be provided withbosses 15 upon their inner faces, as shown in Fig. 5.

As before stated, it is frequently desired to form a block of lesserlength than the standard size. To accomplish this, one of the cores isremoved from its connecting-shank d, and in place thereof adivision-plate U is engaged with said shank. This divisionplate hasformed centrally thereof the bosses '11,, which are of a formcorresponding to the core removed. Thus when the division-plate is usedand the block is cut off thereby the bosses u will form a recess in theblock corresponding to that which is normally formed by the coreD.

The blocks are frequently made with a bulging front and fiat border inrepresentation of out stone. Where a mold having this style of block isused and it is also desired to use a division-plate, I preferablyprovide thelatterwithabulgingprojectionofor fitting within the hollow ofthe mold-plate. This portion 2; also projects laterally from the plateU, so as to form opposite flanges w, one of which serves to produce afiat border on the shortened block corresponding to the border on thefull block. The portion 1) is preferably detachably secured to the plateU by means of screws to, so that the same division-plate may be usedwhere a rectangular block is formed.

As before described, I have provided means for lifting off the completeblock without danger of injuring the same by the sagging of the bottomplate. To accomplish this, the bed A is provided at the opposite endfrom the mold with a series of projecting arms V. These are preferablyof substantially the full width of the plate N, so that said plate afterthe block is formed thereon may be slid over the bed on said arms. Forlifting it off I have provided a lifter W, which is provided with aseries of tines y, adapted to be inserted between the arms V. Thesetines are connected to an upwardly-extending arm y and this in turn to alaterally-extending arm 11 which extends to the center of the block whenThe lifting-cable supported upon the tines. may be attached to the armby a suitable device, such as 2, and this, if desired, may be adjustably connected to the arms if, so as to change its position indifierent widths of blocks. The tines y are preferably provided at theirshank ends with shoulders y which form stops against which the edge ofthe plate N may bear.

The parts being constructed as shown and described, the operation offorming the block with the machine is as follows: If a square block isto be made, the plates 0 and P are first properly positioned and thepivot R and blocks (1 and s adjusted, as before described, to set themold for a given Width of block. When this is accomplished and the plateN is placed in position, the lugZ is engaged with a recess m and lockedby the latch T. This lock' serves to hold all of theplates in position,inasmuch as the plates 0 and P are firmly attached to the bed and theplates Q, R, and S are connected to each other, as well as to the bed.The lever K is then operated to raise the core D, after which theplastic material is placed in the mold and tamped or pressed by anysuitable means. (Not shown.) When the mold is filled, the cores mayfirst be retracted bythe movement of thelever K, after which the latch Tis disengaged and the plate Q is turned upon its pivot to be free fromthe side of the moldblock. The plate S is then swung by the operatoruntil the steps and Z0 come into engagement, after which a continuationof the movement will swing the plate R. Both plates may thus be moved inthe position shown in Fig. 1, so as not only to separate the plates fromthe block, but also to place them out of the way of said block when itis subsequently slid over the bed. For moving the plate N,with the blocksupported thereon, over the bed and onto the arms V the edge of theplate N has preferably formed therein recesses N, and in these recessesmay be in serted a handled hook, such as N by means of which theoperator may slide the plate over the bed. When in position on the armsV, the lifter W, which is attached to any suitable hoisting device, (notshown,) may be engaged beneath the plate N, and thus said plate may belifted and removed to a position where it remains until the block ishardened.

In the manufacture of building-blocks it is necessary that a certainnumber of blocks be made with apertures in the sides thereof forreceiving the floor-joists. I have therefore provided my machine withmeans for the manufacture of such blocks. As shown in Fig. 3, O is ablock or form which is bolted or otherwise secured to the stationaryplate 0 upon the bed. This block 0 is arranged to extend from the plate0 into contact with the core D. The lower face of the block alsopreferably contacts with the baseplate N,

while the upper face is arranged some distance below the top of theplate 0. With this construction in forming the block the cementitiousmaterial is tamped into the mold around the block 0 and covering thesame. Thus when the block is formed it may be removed in the mannerbefore described by drawing it laterally from the plate 0. The resultingblock will be provided with apertures on one side thereof, each of whichis of a size to receive the ends of the joists, while above theseapertures sufficient material is left to impart the required strength tothe block. Inasmuch as the form 0 is secured to the stationary plate 0and the formed block is withdrawn laterally therefrom, it is evidentthat a practically square shoulder may be made by the upper face of theform 0 without preventing disengagement. The advantage of this is thatit is sometimes desirable to reverse the blocks, so that the joistswould then rest upon this shoulder. This could not be satisfactorilydone if the shoulder were tapered, inasmuch as there would be a tendencyfor the joist to then disengage from the wall.

In withdrawing the cores from the molded blank it is essential that theybe arranged in exactly vertical position, so as not to injure the sideof the block. This necessitates the maintaining of the cross-head level,and this in turn makes it necessary that the segmental racks beaccurately clamped upon the shaft J. I have therefore provided the frameof my machine with leveling-lugs G, connecting to a cross-bar G saidlugs being arranged on opposite sides of the frame and adapted tosupport the cross-head E when lowered. In first adjusting the machinethe cross-head is lowered to rest on these lugs, while the segmentalracks I are loose, and these are then secured to the shaft J bysetscrews I. It is evident that the racks thus set will maintain thecross-head level during this movement, and should it accidently becomedisplaced at any time it may be readily reset.

That I claim as my invention is- 1. A machine for molding buildingblockscom prising a bed,a plate rigidly secured thereto to project verticallytherefrom and forming one side of the mold, a bottom plate for the moldadapted to be placed adjacent to said plate and hinged plates formingcomplementary sides of the mold adapted to be locked in position aroundsaid bottom plate, and when unlocked to be swung clear of the same topermit of a lateral withdrawal of said bottom plate with the moldedblock thereon.

2. A machine for molding building-blocks comprising a bed, a mold bottomplate supported thereon, and an articulated frame adapted to be lockedrigidly to said bed around said plate, said frame being also adapted tobe swung to clear said plate and mold-block thereon to permit of lateralwithdrawal thereof upon said bed.

3. A machine for molding building-blocks comprising a bed, a mold bottomplate thereon, side mold-sections upon said bed and surrounding saidbottom plate being laterally separable to permit of the lateral removalof said plate and the mold-block thereon, separate arms projectinglaterally from said bed and upon which said bottom plate is adapted tohe slid, said arms forming a plurality of supporting-bearingsdistributed over the length of said plate to prevent sagging thereof,and the space between permitting of the engagement of a lifter. v

4. In a machine for molding buildingblocks, the combination with a bed,of a mold side projecting upward therefrom and formed in two sections,one section having an outwardly-projecting angle-flange and the othersection being laterally adjustable upon said bed in adjacence to saidflange whereby either a straight or an angle block may be formed.

5. In a machine for molding buildingblocks,the combination with a bed,ofan angleplate rigidly secured thereto laterally-removable sidesrespectively parallel to the sides of said angle-plate and adjoiningeach other and end plates for completing the mold extending acrossbetween said angle-plate and parallel plates, one of said end platesbeing adjustable into alinement with one side of said angleplate wherebyeither straight or angle blocks may be formed.

6. In a machine for molding buildingblocks,the combination with a bed ofan angleplate rigidly secured thereto, hinged plates arranged parallelto the outer faces of said angle-plate said plates being hinged to eachother and one of them being pivotally secured at its outer end to thebed, and a swinging plate at one end of said angle-plate having its freeend extending to the free end of said hinged plate, means forlockingsaid free ends together and a cross-plate for the other end of saidangle-plate, adjustable upon said bed to complete either an angle orastraight mold.

7. In a machine for molding buildingblocks, the combination with a bed,of a rectangular mold mounted thereon having separable sides, one ofsaid sides being stationary, two opposite sides being pivoted to saidbed at opposite ends of said stationary plate and the third side beinghinged to one of said pivoted plates and means for locking the free endof the latter plate to the' free end of the other pivoted plate.

8. In a machine for molding buildingblocks, the combination with a bed,of a mold thereon having separable sides, one side being pivoted to saidbed and an adjacent side being hinged thereto and stops in the adjacentends of said plate for limiting the swing of said hinge, whereby saidhinged plate may be swung independently to disengage the same from themolded block and a further swinging movement imparted thereto will alsoswing said pivoted plate.

9. In a machine for molding buildingblocks, the combination with a bed,of an articulated mold mounted thereon, and a lock for adjoiningseparable sections of said mold, comprising a lug on one member engaginga recess in the other member, a flange on said lug and a pivoted latchon the opposite memher forengaging said flange to clamp the sectionstogether.

10. In a machine for molding buildingblocks, the combination with anapertured bed, of a shank for securing a detachable core projectingupward through said aperture, an outer mold mounted upon said" bedadapted to surround said core, and a division-plate for said mold havinga core-section integral therewith and attachable to said shank.

11. In a machine for molding buildingblocks, the combination with anouter mold having a side thereof fashioned to form a bulging centralportion and a flat margin, of a division-plate for said mold having aside flange for forming a corresponding fiat margin on the dividedblock.

12. In a machine of the character described the combination with a bedand supporting-frame therefor of the mold upon said bed, a corevertically removable through said bed, a cross-head carrying said core,means for raising and lowering said cross-head, and leveling-lugs uponsaid frame upon which said cross-head is adapted to rest in its low eredposition.

13. In a machine of the character described the combination with a bedand sup- 3 porting-frame therefor of the molds supported upon said bed,a core vertically removable through said bed, a cross-head carrying saidcore cooperating racks and gear-segments for raising said cross-head,ashaft upon which said gear-segments are clamped and leveling-lugs uponsaid frame adapted to support said cross-head in its lowered positionandforming means for accurately setting said gear-segments upon saidshaft. 4

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LEVI P. NORMANDIN. Witnesses:

M. B. ODOGHERTY, A. G. ROBERTSON.

